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I am an AGPCNP- I got my job over FNPs. I work a combo of primary (45%)/acute (10%)/subacute (45%) which are rough estimates but you get the drift. The physician who hired me took me over the FNPs for a few reasons but one was that I did more hours in internal medicine. At least 75% of our patients are 65+, but all are 21+. I never wanted to work with OB and peds, both of which I believe need a specialist regardless of school choice (physician/NP/PA). I personally love internal medicine and the specialty I work in (we do both IM and Nephro). FNP would be great if you wanted urgent care or retail, however you rarely get the see the same patients over and over. I know almost all of my patients and have a great relationship with them. I have heard SO MANY FNPs tell me that I wouldn't be 'marketable.' Go with your gut.

Maybe you should go back and read his post that I quoted. I'm not putting him down, I'm merely saying he did not prove his point. Monetary success does not measure clinical skill. This is how a true evidenced based clinician would think. I'm not bitter at all; merely stating a fact.
For example, I used to work with a nurse who fell asleep at the nurses station, failed to properly give care, failed to count narcs properly, missed critical labs, missed critical vitals, and forgot to chart his assessments all the time. Guess what? He made the most money on the unit because we were so desperate to staff he worked 5 12s a week. So, with the OPs principle of monetary success- this nurse must be the best clinician despite all of his issues. See the problem in logic there?
I also like the comment of "those who aren't too bright PROBABLY won't pass." I've worked along side and managed numerous for-profit NP grads and not for-profit NP grads. I've seen some great NPs from both sides, but on generality the for-profit students/practicing NPs are on the lower side of skill.
I will say it again, I'm sure the OP is a good clinician to have been given these opportunities. My whole point is that monetary success does not directly measure skill. Many underserved areas in the rural climates will pay top dollar to anyone willing to relocate.

As mentioned before, this argument doesn't prove anything, other than for-profits can churn out grads that pass a board exam and get a job. Monetary success DOES NOT measure clinician skill. Of course, there will be good clinicians from these programs- those clinicians are not the problem. The real problem is the shear lack of admission, progression and retention standards that allow poor candidates to ultimately get their license. The boards are not difficult IMO. Many individuals argue board pass rates are acceptable from these institutions, again, this DOES NOT correlate to being a good clinician.
Though the OPs story of success is good, he failed to make a tangible link as to why Walden was the key to his success. More than likely, he was at least a decent clinician and spent a vast amount of time trying to understand the science and clinical application that he did not.
So once again, my opinion is the exact same of for-profits. If for-profits stopped the notion to take everyone and anyone (which basically is the economical and philosophical underpinning of for-profits), then maybe they would have more respect.

Congrats on your success for sure, but there is a slight problem in your argument. Monetary success does not necessarily equate to being a good clinician. I know plenty of providers who own their own practice and make tons of money, but they are terrible clinicians. One in particular makes all of his patients a 1-2 month follow up for every patient regardless of complexity. I.e. a high schooler or young adult without chronic disease needed to come back several times a year for no reason other than a "check up". Monetary success equates to being a good business person, not necessarily a good clinician. I don't doubt that you're a good clinician, but your argument is flawed.

I'll go ahead and say it- you can go with the expensive program, but there's no guarantee you'll graduate, and after that, no guarantee of passing the boards. It's a little too soon to be predicating decisions on your future as an NP when you haven't even started nursing school.
Go the less expensive route...

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